Allen Russell Austin

Allen Russell Austin, 87, passed away January 11, 2011 peacefully at home in Ahwatukee after a brief, unexpected illness. He was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas August 29, 1923 to Russell Hayden and Pauline Moores Austin, who preceded him in death (as did his beloved stepmother Margaret Henderson Austin). He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Louise Parker, the mother of their two children. His son Russell H. Austin of Beardstown, Illinois, died on January 10, 2011. Allen graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1944 with a degree in civil engineering. He served as a radio technician in the U.S. Navy in China and the Philippines at the end of WWII. He moved to Effingham, Illinois in 1946 where he became an employee of the Illinois Department of Transportation. He was transferred to the Springfield office in 1962. He was remarried in 1978 to the former Mary Porter Meyer and moved to Phoenix in 1981 following his retirement from IDOT as chief of the Right of Way Bureau. The couple enjoyed these years in travel, swimming, golf, tennis, visiting and being visited by the children and grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, daughter Claudia Jean Campbell and husband Ron, daughter-in-law Diane Austin, grandchildren Jason Campbell (Amy), Craig Campbell (Deb), Amanda Henderson (Heath), 4 great grandchildren, sister Ruth Wimp of Godfrey, Illinois and brother Hayden Austin, Belverde, Texas, and by several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 18 at Mt. View Lutheran church. Rev. Leland Armbright will officiate. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Salvation Army. Arrangements under the direction of Carr-Tenney Mortuary, Tempe, AZ.